AP Exclusive: Backers of NYC mosque appear divided (AP)

AP - The group of Muslims planning to build a 13-story Islamic center and mosque near ground zero appears plagued by divisions that raise questions about the future of the project, with one major investor saying he is prepared to sell some or all of the site if the price is right.

Appeals court lets government halt torture lawsuit (AP)

AP - A sharply divided federal appeals court on Wednesday threw out a lawsuit challenging a controversial post-Sept. 11 CIA program that flew terrorism suspects to secret prisons.

Fla. minister determined to hold 9/11 Quran burn (AP)

AP - A top general, the secretary of state, the White House and political and religious leaders from around the world have decried a plan by the leader of a small Florida church to burn copies of Islam's holiest text to mark the 9/11 attacks. The Rev. Terry Jones is not backing down.

Remnants of Hermine flood Texas; buffet Oklahoma (AP)

AP - The remnants of Tropical Storm Hermine swept northward through Texas and into Oklahoma on Wednesday, forcing more than 100 high-water rescues, swamping city neighborhoods, spawning tornadoes and killing at least two people.

Colorado wildfire destroys more than 130 homes (AP)

AP - A wildfire burning in the canyons and steep mountainsides near Boulder became one of the most destructive blazes in Colorado history Wednesday as authorities determined it had destroyed at least 136 homes in just three days.

City of Morrison Inadvertently Violates Open Meetings Act

Morrison City officials unintentionally violated the Open Meetings Act in a series of emails sent Wednesday, August 11, through Friday, August 13, 2010. The subject of the exchange was the review of the City’s budget for the 2010-2011 fiscal year.

Financial crisis panel tells NV leaders to be bold (AP)

AP - From mortgage problems to education and budget issues, Nevada leaders on Wednesday delivered a sobering assessment of the state's future as a result of the Great Recession during seven hours of testimony before a federal panel investigating the country's financial meltdown.

City Council approves South LA shopping center

The City Council has given final approval to a controversial South Los Angeles shopping center, a development project that had been delayed several times. Representatives of Stanley Kramer, the former partial owner of the property, told the Los Angeles Times... South Los Angeles - City Council - Los Angeles - United States - California

Obama: U.S. can't afford to extend tax cuts for rich (Reuters)

Reuters - President Barack Obama, fighting to keep Democrats in charge of Congress, said on Wednesday the United States could not afford to extend Bush-era tax cuts for the rich and accused Republicans of being fiscally irresponsible.

Chicago mulls future without Daley power at helm (AP)

AP - The last time Chicago was left without a Daley at the helm, the next mayor was thrown out of office by voters angry because he couldn't keep snow off the streets.

Obama: Democrats in trouble if election based on economy (AFP)

AFP - President Barack Obama admitted Wednesday if US voters in the upcoming midterm elections make their choices based on their opinion of the economy, his Democratic Party could be in big trouble.

CHP: Murder suspect strangled woman during pursuit (AP)

AP - A murder suspect linked to four deaths in Northern California strangled his girlfriend while being pursued by police at speeds of around 100 mph on a blown-out tire last week before being shot and killed by officers, authorities said Wednesday.

FBI: Bomb threat on Thai Airways plane was hoax (AP)

AP - The threatening note found in the restroom of a Thai Airways plane was a hoax, FBI officials said Wednesday.

City National prices a $300M notes offering

City National Corp. said Wednesday it priced a public offering of $300 million in 5.25 percent senior notes due Sept. 15, 2020.

Obama sees Democratic pain if vote hinges on economy (Reuters)

Reuters - President Barack Obama said on Wednesday that Democrats risked punishment in November's congressional elections if they allow the vote to be just about the U.S. economy, rather than the two parties' policies.

LA police move to quell more shooting protests (AP)

AP - Police mobilized Wednesday to avoid more mayhem on the streets after being taken by surprise at consecutive nights of violent protests sparked by the fatal shooting of a knife-wielding man.

Wind-whipped fires add to Detroit's economic woes (AP)

AP - For a city already struggling with high unemployment, widespread foreclosures and deep budget cuts, here was another crisis: Wind-whipped fires tearing through row after row of homes, some of them abandoned.

Wind-whipped fires add to Detroit's economic woes (AP)

AP - For a city already struggling with high unemployment, widespread foreclosures and deep budget cuts, here was another crisis: Wind-whipped fires tearing through row after row of homes, some of them abandoned.

City considers disposal of properties

City council members approved of the city disposing of certain real estate during the council meeting on Aug. 23.

City survey aims to help downtown

BORDENTOWN CITY — The Bordentown City Economic Development Commission (EDC) is looking critically at the city’s businesses and analyzing data in the hopes that it will improve business activity going into the fall.

More stimulus needed for economy: Geithner (Reuters)

Reuters - Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said on Wednesday the United States needed more incentives to stimulate job growth and bolster a slow recovery from a "savage" recession.

Ind. activist to head federal anti-carp campaign (AP)

AP - John Goss, an environmental activist and former state official from Indiana, was appointed Wednesday as the Obama administration's point man in the fight to prevent Asian carp from gaining a foothold in the Great Lakes.

City Council again OKs controversial South Los Angeles shopping center

The City Council gave final approval Wednesday to one of the city’s most contentious development projects — a long-delayed shopping center at Slauson and Central avenues in South Los Angeles. The action marked the third time the council had approved...

City Fire Crews Battle 4-Alarm Blaze, Wind

City firefighters are currently battling a four-alarm fire on North Calhoun Street that's engulfed several dwellings on two sides of the street in west Baltimore.

City council to appeal ruling

Statesboro city council will appeal a judge's ruling that the city violated open meetings laws.

Fed survey sees slower growth in East and Midwest (AP)

AP - The economy lost strength in late summer as factory production weakened in areas of the East Coast and Midwest.

Summary Box: More places see slower growth (AP)

AP - ECONOMY LOSES SPEED: A Federal Reserve survey found "widespread signs" that economic growth had slowed in the late summer.

Obama seeks to mend frayed bond with voters (AFP)

AFP - US President Barack Obama Wednesday admitted some of his policies were unpopular and had not revived the economy quickly enough, but sought to rekindle his frayed bond with American voters.

Highlights from the Fed's latest economic survey (AP)

AP - Highlights from the Federal Reserve's survey of economic conditions nationwide. The survey, released Wednesday and known as the Beige Book, is based on information collected from the Fed's 12 regional bank districts.

Consumers cut back on credit card use once again (AP)

AP - Consumer borrowing fell again in July as households cut back on their credit card use for a 23rd consecutive month, adding more drag on an economy struggling to mount a sustained rebound.

Fed sees 'widespread' signs US economy is slowing (AFP)

AFP - The US economic recovery is showing "widespread" signs of slowing, the US Federal Reserve warned Wednesday, as it gears up for a key policy meeting later this month.

City striker Balotelli faces six weeks out

Manchester City have announced that new signing Mario Balotelli will have knee surgery and could be sidelined for six weeks.

Chicago mayor race wide open as Daley steps aside (AP)

AP - Months of political jockeying began in earnest Wednesday as speculation grew about who would try to succeed Mayor Richard M. Daley as leader of the nation's third-largest city, including one-time aide and current White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel.

Fla. pastor on fringe of US Christian life (AP)

AP - The Florida pastor who plans to burn the Quran on the anniversary of 9/11 is rooted in Pentecostal tradition that believes Christians are engaged in a modern-day spiritual battle with evil.

Hack attack hits home for AP writer (AP)

AP - The Twitterverse is full of far more mysterious forces than indecipherable trending topics and Lady Gaga.

Tropical Storm Igor strengthens in the Atlantic (AP)

AP - Tropical Storm Igor is growing a bit stronger in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa near the Cape Verde Islands.

A look at economic developments around the globe (AP)

AP - TOKYO — Japan's machinery orders, a key gauge of future business investment, rose the most in seven months, a sign that companies are more confident in the economic recovery.

BP report blames itself, others for oil spill (AP)

AP - BP took some of the blame for the Gulf oil disaster in an internal report issued Wednesday, acknowledging among other things that it misinterpreted a key pressure test of the well. But in a possible preview of its legal strategy, it also pointed the finger at its partners on the doomed rig.

Official: 2nd killed in flooding swamping Texas (AP)

AP - Authorities say flooding from the remnants of Tropical Storm Hermine has killed a second person who was swept away from his pickup truck.

Geithner: U.S. scarred by "savage" recession (Reuters)

Reuters - Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said on Wednesday the United States is recovering slowly from a "savage" recession that has caused deep job cuts and a loss of confidence.